I am planning on producing a short on digital video. It will be shot in black and white using existing light. Does the xl1 have a black and white mode? Are there cameras better for shooting black and white than the xl1? Thanks.

The XL-1 does not have a b&w mode, per se. Most folks convert their footage to b&w in post-production with their editors. The effect is much more controllable in post. Use a field monitor with color turned down to get a rough preview of the b&w image during shooting.

I would do B&W in post even if the camera had B&W mode
native (which it does not). On the XL1s you could dial out all
the color. B&W in post is much better since you can tweak the
effect much more! If you record in B&W you have no choices
lateron in the process!

I do B & W in post, but I shoot like B & W. I do as Ken Suggests, turn down the chroma on your monitor and closely evaluate the contrast in the scene. We pick the colors of the clothing and props to look good, have good contrast, in B & W, not color. Many colors turn to middle grey when you remove the color. The scene lacks a good contrast range and the resulting video is worse, all muddy grey. Good B & W is a challenge.

Jeff

Although shooting 35mm still film is a different animal than shooting video for b&w (due to dealing with chemistry with film -vs- physics with video) some of the principles may apply. You might gets some good tips from a good b&w photography book.

Almost all films today are panchromatic. They more accurately reproduce the warmer colors, red, orange and yellow. Video has an emphasis on green to help human vision see more detail. Certain colors will reproduce more accurately than others when the color is removed. It's kind of trial and error for the look you want. There are many good books on B & W as Ken points out. They will be a good starting point.

Has anyone tried dialing the color out of the XL1 and then shooting with a red, orange or yellow filter (ala b&w film)?

I would be interested to know how a scene shot that way compares to a scene shot in color but edited to black and white in post.

The Xl1s can be put in to black and white mode by presetting the color mode to black and white. This is what i use to focus.

Geocide1

The XL1 does not have a B & W mode, but as you and Rob point out the XL1s does have a B & W mode. How does the B & W help you focus?

Jeff

It's just easier for my eyes to distinguish out of focus items for some reason. Try it, its kinda weird.